In The News

Dog lovers celebrated connection and inclusivity at the Cornell Woodlot Park opening on Aug. 28.

The park includes a brand new, fully accessible playground, a shade structure, walking paths, and an off-leash dog area.
For the Markham Dog Association, the new off-leash park is a step in the right direction.
“The reality is that we have a lot of dogs in Markham, and the demand (for off-leash parks) is really high,” said Gregory Calleri, president of the Markham Dog Association.

The association started as a small gathering of dog owners who met at the Cornell Woodlot park during the pandemic.

“None of us were seeing family or friends, and we would go there every single day because there was nothing else to do,” Calleri said.

The group soon became a “tight-knit community” and would celebrate occasions such as dogs’ birthdays. The events grew bigger, and the group decided to establish the Markham Dog Association.

Now with over 2,500 members and growing, it’s clear that dogs and their owners have a significant presence in Markham.